Ottawa Integrity PAC board members are pleased to announce the addition of Mr. Matt Fenske to our Board of Directors. Mr. Fenske’s wealth of experience in county government is invaluable in assessing candidates and campaigns. Matt exemplifies our values: commitment to democracy, respect for all constituents, integrity, and transparency. We look forward to a long partnership.

Mr. Fenske states: “I am joining the Board of Ottawa Integrity because I believe in local politics and the difference it can make in your everyday life. I want to be part of a board that holds representatives accountable to restore our spirit of generosity, collaboration, and respect. I respect diversity and the value it brings to the community. We need to elect leaders who recognize its importance. Under my leadership as a county commissioner, we were held in high regard by the counties within the State of Michigan. They looked to Ottawa for direction. Servant leaders ensure stable government.”

Matt Fenske served as  Ottawa County Commissioner for 10 years in district 11, and was Board Chair in 2022. He chaired the County’s Community Mental Health Board, the Agricultural Preservation Board, and the County Insurance Authority. As a County Commissioner, Mr. Fenske exemplified a dedicated public servant with knowledge and integrity to serve all members of the Ottawa County community. 

Mr. Fenske is currently the Chair of the Tallmadge Township Planning Commission and has served as a township trustee. Prior to being elected commissioner, Fenske had a 33-year career with the 17th Circuit Court in neighboring Kent County including Superintendent of the Kent County Juvenile Detention Center.

Matt’s County leadership focused on solutions that represented the resident’s best interest with balance, fairness, and honesty. He navigated issues of county growth while protecting the county’s stable government with transparency and accountability. He brought people together to ensure representation of all county residents, on a non-partisan basis. We need to restore services to our residents and continue to collaborate with local businesses, organizations, and educational institutions.

Ottawa Integrity PAC was formed in 2021 to support candidates for local office that uphold our Principles of Integrity. 

Ottawa Integrity PAC is pleased to announce its partnership with newly formed Livingston Integrity PAC. The two groups have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, aligning their missions and agreeing to operate under the same principles of integrity. 

The partnership was born when Livingston County activists Julie Ohashi and Cori Charbonneau, who founded the grassroots group Hartland Truth, approached leaders of Ottawa Integrity PAC earlier this year with a desire to join forces in pursuit of good governance. 

Ottawa Integrity PAC Founder and Interim Executive Director Kim Nagy said, “We are thrilled to partner with citizen leaders in Livingston County who are facing the same challenges we have in Ottawa: extremists with no actual desire to govern, but who seek to impose a far-right agenda on our communities.” 

Ohashi said, “Hartland Truth has been watching our Board of Education and administration be on the receiving end of agenda-fueled attacks. We recognized the need to organize and move forward as a PAC to keep extremists from taking over our local government. We connected with Ottawa Integrity because they have been facing the same issues. We wanted to utilize their expertise in being received by moderate voters, who share a concern about where our local politics are headed. We need to reach out to those not necessarily aligned on all the political issues, but who want to see consensus in government in a way that works for the people, not for political ideology and culture wars. 

“We look forward to working with Ottawa Integrity and are excited about partnering with those who share our vision. Hopefully other communities across the state, especially in deep red rural districts, will realize that they are not alone and reach out to connect for resources and support.” 

Ottawa and Livingston PAC adhere to the Principles of Integrity: 

-Commitment to democracy and democratic solutions

-Commitment to honesty, transparency, and insight

-Commitment to the dignity of individuals, families, and the natural beauty in our community

and agree to work on behalf of their communities to support candidates, institutions and initiatives that reflect these principles. Both are nonpartisan political action committees authorized by the State of Michigan, and both will maintain local control and focus on issues particular to their county, sharing best practices and strategies. More information can be found at ottawaintegrity.org and livingstonintegrity.org.